The Kalo Shop Large Hand Wrought Sterling Silver Arts & Crafts Desk Tray, Chicago, IL, c. 1920's

This unusual object is a lovely example of Chicago arts & crafts silver. It can be used for its original purpose or as an elegant serving tray. The design is very architectural and striking. The rectangular tray has five flat pan sections separated by raised dividers.

The sides of the tray are beautifully raised with bezel edges leading up to wide, flat surrounding areas. Both ends have lovely 'JPH' intertwined applied monograms.

The Kalo Shop is known for its hammered surfaces and creative, forward looking arts & crafts designs. It was started by Clara Barck Welles who was 'known for her fair employment practices and for giving opportunities to women to become metalsmiths'.(1)

This stunning and impressive tray is marked 'STERLING/ HAND WROUGHT/ AT/ THE KALO SHOP/ X221'. The tray measures just under 19 inches long by just under 10 inches wide, weighs 50.80 troy ounces and is in very good/excellent antique condition.

Endnote:

1. Sharon S. Darling, Chicago Metalsmiths, (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1977), p. 48.